Kagome Kagome: Playing Ivey or Antonius Live Would Turn Into A 'Crime Scene'High-Stakes Poker Pro Talks About How He's Strictly An Internet Player |
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German online poker player “Kagome Kagome” is one of the regulars at some of the highest stakes offered in cyberspace, grinding as high as $2,000-$4,000.
A specialist in fixed-limit games, the young German once received incredibly kind words from Phil Ivey — the most profitable player ever online. During one of their matches a couple years ago, Ivey remarked: “We both know you are better than me at [limit hold’em].”
Since Full Tilt relaunched late last year, Kagome Kagome has been back in action on the site where he made a name for himself in the high-stakes community. Card Player caught up with the German to talk about why he only plays online and about some of his opponents.
Brian Pempus: If I remember correctly, you once said Phil Ivey was the “final boss” in the online poker world. Do you feel like the final boss in limit hold’em these days? A lot of young limit players probably really look up to your game.
Kagome Kagome: No, I don’t think there is a “final boss” at this moment. Right now I see a handful of players very close in skill — KPR16, jama-dharma, Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius. All of them deserve this title just as much as I do.
BP: How do you think you would fare against Ivey or Antonius at a live table?
KK: They would turn that table into a crime scene. I am pretty sure about that.
BP: Any chance the poker community could finally see you at the World Series of Poker this summer crushing the big buy-in limit hold’em tournaments?
KK: I won’t be able to attend the WSOP this year, but I wish good luck to everyone who is going.
BP: Are you content with being strictly an online player for the rest of your life or career?
KK: It’s not that I deliberately want to be an all-online player, but live play just never clicked for me. Whenever I try to play live, I get bored too easily because of the really slow pace.
BP: It seems, though, that some poker players want to have a famous face in poker, as well as become a part of poker “history” by winning big live tournaments. That doesn’t seem to interest you. Do you think that will ever change as you get older? In other words, would the boredom of live poker ever be offset by wanting to get bracelets, trophies and the like?
KK: Sometimes I enjoy the spotlight of the poker community, but most of the time I prefer it quiet around me. I don’t think that will ever change. Besides, even the biggest trophies and bracelets are not shining that light as long as being a poker player is not a respected profession here in Germany. I would much rather be able to speak out proudly about what I do for a living than having 10 bracelets somewhere in my closet.
After Full Tilt Poker shut down in 2011, Kagome Kagome said he began work at a start-up company and that it was nice that he was able to “solve real people’s problems.”
BP: So, from what you’ve seen, Pius Heinz winning the main event at the WSOP in 2011 didn’t do much for poker in Germany?
KK: No, I think the fact that Pius Heinz moved to Austria right before he won his WSOP title says everything. I put my hope into the next years bringing some change for the better.
BP: I see you playing Gus sometimes. He has been losing quite a bit lately (down millions since Full Tilt returned). Is there anything wrong with Gus’ game?
KK: I think Gus is a fearsome and smart player. Sometimes, however, he takes things a bit too lightly and starts making small mistakes. When that happens, I recommend he should reduce the amount of tables he plays at the same time.
BP: Do you think he might being trying to get “unstuck” too fast?
KK: Oh no, I actually envy him for his patience. Earlier this year when he had a really rough month, he moved down the stakes to regain his confidence. That’s always a good idea.
BP: Do you ever log on and look for opportunities to play him, or other players, when you notice they have a lot of tables open and might be losing that day?
KK: No, I only play when I feel good anyway, so I don’t have to wait for others to have a bad day.
BP: How do you know when you feel good? what are the signs? Can you wake up in the morning and determine right away that you probably shouldn’t play today?
KK: I feel best when it’s not too early in the morning — I need a good breakfast and a warm shower first — and not too late at night because I get tired quickly. If possible, I do sports and don’t feel stressed about other things in my life.
BP: What could be more stressful than $2,000-$4,000 limit hold’em?
KK: It’s true that playing these stakes is really stressful, so I can’t do it too often. Stress isn’t always bad however, since releasing more adrenaline also improves my ability to focus on the game itself. I think it’s important to maintain a good work-life balance.
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